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A review by superrninja16
The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Spice ⭐⭐.5
ARC REVIEW
PSA: I listened to the ARC audiobook so some names will be misspelled. I didn't receive a map nor glossary for the book when given the audio by the publishers.
I liked the premise of the story. The world taking place was beautiful and for once I liked it was a different take of fantasy. The story felt inspired by desert parts of the real world, (I would say Middle East, but there's more countreis than just those). I do however, felt specific scenes throughout the book felt very rushed.
Scene 1: The 'games and trial' that really gave me The Selection Trilogy vibes. It only lasted 2-3 days, and I personally felt it could have lasted a little bit longer, about a full week or even two. Let it really sink how dangerous the marriage games to Prince Javid(?) So because of that, the new found friendship with Clem(?) didn't feel genuine. Suraya barely meets her and already freaking out about Clem's(?) whereabouts when the rebellion (i'm not even going to try to spell it) comes in and attacks the kingdom.
Scene 2: Where the story moves to the rebellion hideout, sanction. Roshan and Suraya are hiding out in the sanction, and Suraya learning about her magic. I wouldn't say her training arc there, but I would have liked to know about Aran's(?) magic and how the magic in the world truly works. I couldnt envision it in my head so it was hard to remember what was what. The magi and other phrases I can't spell nor quite remember. I also really think the connection between Roshan and Suraya could have been a little bit more on page then off page in all honesty. The spicy scene.....just wasn't great, but it's still better than spirit splooge (ifykyk, if not, then read Vesselless)
I also very VERY tired of ommiting truths and "secrets" trope. Suraya getting mad about that, sure fine that's how she feels, but she literally contradicted herself. Roshan said he has secrets, and guess what Suraya says? SHE SAYS ITS OKAY TO HAVE SECRETS. SO WTF WAS THAT BACKTRACKING FOR WHEN YOU YOURSELF SAID IT WAS FINE?! I'm calm, I'm calm, its fine. (It's not really fine)
The book could have been more than 14 hours. I wouldn't it have minded more information and back history. More about the Death God that we get snippets of the POV from and how Suraya is his fated mate Heck, just more connection between the characters. I thought this author was a debuting for the first time, but she has written other works. So I will say, please don't be scared to have the book be bigger, indie/debuting or not. This book a real potentail that could have been a 5 star rating for me.
I received an ARC audiobook from Netgallery. Though my review is honest and true, I will the author the best of luck. Thank you HarperAudio for allowing me to listen
I liked the premise of the story. The world taking place was beautiful and for once I liked it was a different take of fantasy. The story felt inspired by desert parts of the real world, (I would say Middle East, but there's more countreis than just those). I do however, felt specific scenes throughout the book felt very rushed.
Scene 2: Where the story moves to the rebellion hideout, sanction. Roshan and Suraya are hiding out in the sanction, and Suraya learning about her magic. I wouldn't say her training arc there, but I would have liked to know about Aran's(?) magic and how the magic in the world truly works. I couldnt envision it in my head so it was hard to remember what was what. The magi and other phrases I can't spell nor quite remember. I also really think the connection between Roshan and Suraya could have been a little bit more on page then off page in all honesty. The spicy scene.....just wasn't great, but it's still better than spirit splooge (ifykyk, if not, then read Vesselless)
I also very VERY tired of ommiting truths and "secrets" trope. Suraya getting mad about that, sure fine that's how she feels, but she literally contradicted herself. Roshan said he has secrets, and guess what Suraya says? SHE SAYS ITS OKAY TO HAVE SECRETS. SO WTF WAS THAT BACKTRACKING FOR WHEN YOU YOURSELF SAID IT WAS FINE?! I'm calm, I'm calm, its fine. (It's not really fine)
The book could have been more than 14 hours. I wouldn't it have minded more information and back history.
I received an ARC audiobook from Netgallery. Though my review is honest and true, I will the author the best of luck. Thank you HarperAudio for allowing me to listen